This is written by Colette Longo, I do not know her or where I received this wonderful document of encouragement but it is something I come back to again and again in my homeschool journey. Love it! Great reminders and truths here!
Ten ways to simplify homeschooling
Colette Longo
1. Keep everything as simple as you can. Jesus wrote with a stick in the dirt,
and He was the greatest teacher that ever lived. He used no curriculum or
flannel graphs or lesson plans. Homeschooling can be made far more complicated
than it should be. A simpler approach is much more effective.
2. Stick to the 3 R's. They form the foundation of life-long learning in every
field because they are the tools of study. There will be no need to formalize
any other subject if the children are doing their best in these 3, because
people who are well grounded in reading, writing and math will approach other
subjects boldly, independently and confidently.
3. Let the children teach themselves as much as they are able to. This teaches
them responsibility, intellectual independence, and builds confidence. It's
also better for the parent/child relationship because you can focus on
parenting instead of playing schoolteacher.
4. Use the most direct method available. For reading, read. For writing, write,
for math, do it, and for Bible, read it. Don't fall for catchy curriculums or
methods that are really just something else for you and your child to learn.
5. Don't worry about your child's age or grade. Just let him do the best he can
each day. Children grow intellectually like they do physically: in spurts.
Although we may have an audience of skeptical relatives, homeschooling is not a
circus, and we refuse to train our children to do tricks for people.
6. Minimize distractions in the home. Watch for excessiveness in entertainments,
snacking, outings, phone conversations and the like. These sorts of things can
easily get out of hand and compete with the effectiveness of a homeschool and
sap the family of time and energy.
7. Seek quality over quantity. A few tapes of great music, a small case of
carefully chosen books, a few special play mates, and an occasional outing is
better than a large, but poor quality collection.
8. If you must document your school activities, do it after the fact. This way
you will not make promises you cannot keep. If you are required to make lesson
plans, be as vague as permissible. Don't let transcripts, diplomas, records and
tests determine your academic plans. Focus on learning and the rest will
follow.
9. Put the needs of your youngest, most vulnerable children first. If an older
child gets a little behind in school, I'm sure you can forgive yourself. But if
something happened to the toddler while you were busy homeschooling, I don't
think you would be able to say the same.
10. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind and
soul and don't neglect to seek him early...giving him the first fruits of your
day and teach your children to do the same. I know that you are tired and that
there aren't enough hours in your day, but we serve a God who can make the sun
stand still.
"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you
rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart:
and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is
light." Matt. 11:28-30
Take what works, what resonates....leave the rest.
